Five Steelers Who Have Been Pleasant Surprises This Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their bye week sitting atop the AFC North Division with a record of 6-2.
As we’re at the midway point of the season, the defense is performing as expected, while the offense is starting to click, since Russell Wilson took over the reins as Steelers quarterback. Then there are players who have become surprising contributors for the team, which I will examine five of them.
Beanie Bishop Jr.
Rarely does an undrafted rookie play a vital role in his first NFL season, but that’s where Beanie Bishop Jr. finds himself, within the Steelers’ secondary, as a slot cornerback.
After trying to find his footing, Bishop had a memorable performance versus the New York Jets in Week 7, as he picked off Aaron Rodgers twice.
During Pittsburgh’s Week 8 matchup with the New York Giants, the 24-year-old Bishop came up big again by intercepting a pass from Daniel Jones, to seal a 26-18 win.
Bishop is the first Steelers UDFA rookie to record three interceptions in a season since Tony Dungy in 1977.
Corliss Waitman
After cutting ties with Pressley Harvin III in the offseason, the Steelers went out of their way to improve the punting game, as they signed veteran Aussie Cameron Johnston to a three-year deal worth $9 million.
Johnston unfortunately would suffer a season-ending, knee injury, in the Steelers’ season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Pittsburgh would replace Johnston with a familiar name - signing Corliss Waitman. During the 2021 season, Waitman appeared in two games.
The Steelers could not have asked for me from Waitman to this point in the season, as he’s averaging 46.8 yards per punt. He also has 14 punts inside the 20, which are tied for 10th most in the league.
Dan Moore Jr.
Before the season began, much was made about who should the Steelers’ starting left tackle be between Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones.
Most viewed Jones as the choice - being a former first rounder and LT as a his natural position. Meanwhile, Moore had been inconsistent in that spot the last couple seasons.
So far this year, Moore is beginning to prove doubters wrong, as he’s done an outstanding job on the left side of the line, while playing as Pittsburgh’s best offensive lineman. Through eight games, he’s allowed just two sacks. Moore has also been a reason why Najee Harris in particular is running the ball much better in recent weeks.
DeShon Elliott
Looking to address safety help in the offseason, the Steelers inked former Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott. The deal was for two years at $6 million.
Elliott has been a terrific, strong safety during his first season with the Black & Gold. In the 28 times he’s been targeted, Elliott has posted a respectable, 88.7 passer rating against.
It didn’t take Elliott long to make his presence felt with the Steelers, as he registered his first INT in Week 1. He also had a solid, showing in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, where he compiled a season-high 12 tackles, and had a forced fumble.
Donte Jackson
A buy-low trade was made last offseason between teams, as the Steelers swapped WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for CB Donte Jackson.
Jackson struggled in 2023 with Carolina - recording no INTs and having a passer rating against of 107.7 - a career worst.
This year, Jackson is a lockdown, outside CB, as he’s posting a stellar, 42.4 passer rating against, in the 41 times he’s been targeted.
Through his first eight games of 2024, Jackson leads the Steelers with six pass deflections, while his three interceptions are tied with Beanie Bishop for the team lead.